Thousands of protesters defied curfew across five valley districts of Manipur, staging rallies and burning tyres in response to a bomb attack that killed two young children in Bishnupur district.  On April 7, suspected militants hurled a bomb at a residential house in Tronglaobi village in Bishnupur district, killing a five-year-old boy and his six-month-old sister.

The attack triggered immediate outrage across the valley, with protests spreading rapidly through Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, and Kakching districts.  A mob of around 500 protesters stormed a Central Reserve Police Post (CRPF) camp near Gelmol, a few hundred metres from Tronglaobi, vandalising the facility and burning security vehicles.

Security personnel opened fire in the ensuing confrontation, killing three protesters and injuring 30 others. In Imphal West, hundreds of protesters gathered at Tiddim Line under the All Manipur United Clubs Organisation, marching from its office near Kwakeithel before being stopped by Indian forces. Several children attended the rally, carrying posters of the two slain minors.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)